Pakistan vs England, 1st T20I

That ends our coverage of the first T20I. We have a couple of games before we wind up this series. Hope you have enjoyed our coverage. It has been a pleasure to bring it to you. The next game is on the 25th. Do join us then, until next time which will be on Friday morning when Australia take on Sri Lanka in the CB series, this is Srivathsa signing off on behalf of Sid V, Shashreek Roy and Sathyavelu. Be well and take care. Tada!

Misbah: I'm really happy that the team fought so well and came back after all the criticism for our show in the ODIs. I was always confident about Junaid bowling the 20th over. He has done it in the past against Zimbabwe and others. I just told him to bowl yorkers and not to worry about anything else. I promoted Afridi, but unfortunately we lost wickets during that period. Fab effort from Malik, that's why I always back him. Only an experienced and an utility player like him can produce an innings like that under pressure, not everyone can. The way Umar Gul came back is a good sign and we would look to do well in the next game.

Broad: It was a great game of cricket, the atmosphere was fantastic. We had our chances, but unfortunately we didn't bat well to chase it down. Pakistan batted quite nicely in the first three-four overs and made it difficult for us. We bowled pretty well, didn't field as well as we have done in the ODIs, but still happy to keep them to 144. We showed great character to get wickets in the middle overs, but didn't manage to get over the line. KP opening is a great advantage for us and he batted fantastically. We will work on some things for the next game.

Umar Gul: To be honest, I was under pressure before this game as our team didn't do well in the ODIs, but the team management encouraged me and gave me the confidence. I got some reverse due to the hard square here. I always was confident that Junaid would do well in that 20th over.

Umar Gul is the Man of the Match for his magnificent bowling.

Misbah captained the side well today, cleverly keeping his main strike weapons (Ajmal and Gul) for the death and rotating his other bowlers around. England will be disappointed with their batting for it what was a chasable score on a batting wicket. Stay tuned for the presentation

Pakistan have come back strongly to win a close game. They didn't have many runs in the bank, but they had the bowling to sneak through. Umar Gul and Ajmal were special at the end and Hafeez chipped in with a couple of crucial wickets at the top. Pietersen was the key for England and he looked in ominous nick, before his dismissal slowed things down. Pakistan came right back in and never allowed the Englishmen to get away. Bopara threatened, but one Umar Gul over completely changed the complexion of the game.

19.6 Junaid Khan to Bairstow, 2 runs, Pak win. Lots of smiles in the Pak camp. Junaid Khan has bowled a quality final over. The last ball was right on the stumps, dragged wide of long on, there is a fumble in the deep, but that doesn't matter. All England get is a couple.

19.5 Junaid Khan to Bairstow, 2 runs, Misbah looks happy. Low full toss on the stumps, slapped to long off, they come back for two. Misbah knows that he almost has the game in the pocket, goes up to Junaid Khan and pats him

England need a couple of sixes to tie the game. Looks a tall order with the way Junaid Khan is bowling

19.4 Junaid Khan to Swann, 1 run, what a ball! Full, fast yorker outside off, Swann can only toe end it to long off. Only a single

19.3 Junaid Khan to Bairstow, 1 run, can't hit those to the fence, very full on the stumps, driven without much power to long on, Bairstow wanted two, Swann sent him back

England need a boundary off this delivery. Junaid Khan is bowling from round the wicket and is getting it right up there

19.2 Junaid Khan to Bairstow, 2 runs, driven to long on, Hafeez slipped, even Bairstow did too, but does well to go back for the second

19.1 Junaid Khan to Swann, byes, 1 run, chance at both ends and it is not taken. Bairstow needed to run for the bye and Umar didn't hit at the strikers end. Junaid Khan collected the throw and had a chance to run Swann out, but he didn't throw. Umar can't believe it. Swann missed the glide to third man and ran across

Junaid Khan [3.0-0-34-0] is back into the attack

18.6 Ajmal to Swann, leg byes, 1 run, Swann comes down the track and misses the flick, off the pad to short third. A top over from Ajmal comes to an end. He has done his job. It is now up to Junaid to finish it off. Ajmal is patted on the back by his team-mates for that excellent over

18.5 Ajmal to Swann, no run, now attempts the orthodox sweep and doesn't connect as well, the ball spinning away from the stumps. Good take by Umar behind the stumps. The game is slowly slipping out of England's hands

18.4 Ajmal to Swann, no run, Swann pre-meditates the reverse sweep and misses as the ball goes outside off. Tense faces in the England camp now

18.3 Ajmal to Bairstow, 1 run, Ajmal is mad at Zia for not giving him a better throw. It was driven straight to the fielder at cover and if the throw was better, Bairstow would've been gone.

18.2 Ajmal to Bairstow, 2 runs, whipped to deep mid wicket, and some poor fielding from Rehman allows them to go back for the second.

18.1 Ajmal to Bairstow, no run, how did that miss the stumps? Bairstow pulling way too early and the ball looped over middle stump. Bairstow is flabbergasted

This is a gigantic over. Ajmal to bowl out.

17.6 Umar Gul to Bairstow, 1 run, Umar Gul's magnificent spell comes to an end. Bairstow belting a low full toss to long off, wanted two, but not there as he retains the strike with that run

The last ball of Umar Gul's spell. Can he fire out Bairstow too? Here he comes with short third and short fine inside the ring. England need a boundary. Long off is back as well.

17.5 Umar Gul to Swann, 1 run, Swann backs away and squirts a drive over Umar Gul, mid off is too deep and a single was always on

17.4 Umar Gul to Swann, no run, Umar Gul doesn't get a hat-trick, but he bowls a dot. Fast yorker on off, dug out to point. Swann wanted the single, but Bairstow sent him back and rightly so

Graeme Swann, right handed bat, comes to the crease

17.3 Umar Gul to Samit Patel, out Lbw!! Was there an inside edge onto the pads on that? The ump doesn't think so and Umar Gul is on a hat-trick. The crowd go wild. Full, fast and inswinging too, Samit Patel tried to flick across the line and seemed to have got a feather on that, need a replay to confirm though. Samit's reactions were one of extreme disappointment, which suggested an inside edge. Anyways the game has turned on its head. Umar Gul - what a bowler. Replays in: No inside edge. Brilliant call.Samit Patel lbw b Umar Gul 0(1)

Umar Gul to Samit Patel, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

Samit Patel, right handed bat, comes to the crease

17.2 Umar Gul to Buttler, out Caught by Ajmal at short fine!! The joker in the Pakistani side has caught that with one hand. Buttler going across for the paddle scoop and didn't get it off the middle, Ajmal caught that nonchalantly and then flung the ball in anger. More of a reaction catch than anything else. Another twist in the game. Buttler c Ajmal b Umar Gul 3(4)

Umar Gul to Buttler, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

17.1 Umar Gul to Bairstow, 1 run, more good work from Hafeez, sliding to his right at long on. Does well to keep it to a single

16.5 Ajmal to Bairstow, no run, Bairstow wants a no-ball, but Aleem Dar says nothing doing. Looked pretty high as Ajmal delivered a full toss on the stumps, Bairstow drove it straight to the fielder at cover, looked around and was shocked to see it not being signalled no-ball. Marginal call and it goes the way of Pak

16.4 Ajmal to Buttler, 1 run, calmly done. Buttler knocking the ball into leg and giving the strike back to Bairstow

Back over the wicket to Buttler is Ajmal

16.3 Ajmal to Bairstow, 1 run, Ajmal goes round the wicket and Bairstow backs away to cut to deep point

16.2 Ajmal to Bairstow, 2 runs, Bairstow comes down the track and opens the face of the bat to drive against the spin to sweeper cover, a couple of runs

16.1 Ajmal to Buttler, 1 run, Buttler calmly dabs the first ball of Ajmal into the vacant point region for a single

This now will test the youngsters in the English side. Ajmal has two and Gul has one, which will prove to be absolutely vital in the context of the game. A cracker of a game in progress here.

15.6 Umar Gul to Buttler, 1 run, another brilliant yorker from Umar Gul, nearly gets Buttler as well, he bottom edges it wide of leg stump and some good fielding at backward square prevents the second

Jos Buttler, right handed bat, comes to the crease

15.5 Umar Gul to Bopara, out Bowled!! Umar Gul is pumped and what a wicket that is. Fab yorker at pace cleans up Bopara. Bopara made the mistake of shuffling across and leaving the leg stump exposed, Gul hit it with precision. Inswinging and fast, rattles into the base of leg. There is not a better bowler at the death than Umar Gul in this format. Bopara b Umar Gul 39(32) [4s-2 6s-1]

15.3 Umar Gul to Bairstow, no run, wild swing across the line from Bairstow to a slower delivery from Umar Gul and he misses. The ball flies over the middle stump

15.2 Umar Gul to Bairstow, no run, if Misbah had hit direct at Bopara's end, Bopara was gone. Misbah hesitated as the backing up man was running across to cover and that hesitation cost him. Aimed and missed. Bopara would've been just out. Misbah kicks the turf in disgust after missing the throw

15.1 Umar Gul to Bairstow, 2 runs, hint of reverse for Umar Gul, a stifled appeal for LBW, but the umpire has given it as runs. Strikes Bairstow on the pads, but that would've gone down leg. They take two as Junaid takes a bit of time to come in from third man

Umar Gul [2.0-1-11-0] is back into the attack

14.6 Ajmal to Bairstow, 1 run, Bairstow chops one on off stump down to the deep backward point man, retains the strike with that run

14.5 Ajmal to Bopara, 1 run, in the air, but Ajmal was going the wrong way, the ball went to his right as he was anticipating it to his left

14.4 Ajmal to Bopara, 2 runs, lovely placement from Bopara as he drives wide of cover, just to the right of cover and another easy couple for Bopara. The runs keep coming for Bopara

14.3 Ajmal to Bopara, FOUR, can't bowl there, very poor stuff from Ajmal. Bopara is eyeing the sweep shot and he times it well to get it wide of Afridi at deep backward square, who chases that without much energy or enthu

14.2 Ajmal to Bopara, no run, flatter and quicker on the stumps, Bopara defends to cover

14.2 Ajmal to Bopara, wide, down leg and that is a poor ball from Ajmal

14.1 Ajmal to Bairstow, 1 run, if Ajmal had stopped that, he would've had a chance to run Bopara out. Bopara was way out of his crease, backing up too far and luckily for him, Ajmal fumbled to allow him to escape

Saeed Ajmal [1.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack

13.6 Junaid Khan to Bopara, 2 runs, what placement and what running from Bairstow as well. Again flicked through mid wicket, Shafiq can't get there in time from long on to prevent the 2nd and England have pinched 14 off that over without an iota of risk - fab percentage cricket from Bopara

13.5 Junaid Khan to Bopara, 2 runs, Bopara is batting beautifully, chips it softly through mid wicket, gets another couple as it is placed brilliantly

13.4 Junaid Khan to Bopara, SIX, Dead eye ringer! Can't hit them much straighter than that. Junaid Khan overpitching on the stumps and Bopara cashing in, with a clean swing of the bat. The ball thuds into the black sight-screen and bouncing back. That was a timely strike

13.3 Junaid Khan to Bopara, 2 runs, comes down the track and whips it to deep mid wicket, calls for two immediately and gets it quite easily

13.2 Junaid Khan to Bopara, 2 runs, the third ump has been called for, but Bopara has made it. Needed a direct hit and it didn't come from the fielder. Pulled to deep square and Bopara gets in with a dive. Umar Akmal isn't happy with that throw as he had to collect it on the bounce and then whip the bails off from a distance

13.1 Junaid Khan to Bopara, no run, Junaid Khan comes back on, from round the wicket, starts with a slower delivery, punched back to him

Junaid Khan [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack

12.6 Hafeez to Bairstow, no run, slanted across Bairstow who slashes and misses. End of Hafeez - 4-0-18-2 - could be a match-winning spell.

12.5 Hafeez to Bopara, 1 run, opens the face of the bat and guides it to deep backward point, gives Bairstow the strike

12.4 Hafeez to Bopara, FOUR, that is a brilliant sweep shot. All along the ground and beating the two men on the fence at deep square. Perfectly placed and timed beautifully. Bopara needs to be there till the end to see England through

12.3 Hafeez to Bairstow, 1 run, Hafeez isn't happy with Ajmal for not catching that. But what a poor shot that from Bairstow, first ball, tried to reverse sweep and it went off the splice of the bat. Ajmal tried his best, but it fell just short of him

Jonathan Bairstow, right handed bat, comes to the crease

12.2 Hafeez to Eoin Morgan, out Bowled!! Hafeez has yorked Eoin Morgan. Full, fast and tailing into middle and leg, crept under Morgan's bat and took out leg. Morgan had made room, but couldn't jam it out. That's a huge wicket for Pak as Morgan is the designated finisher in this England side. Eoin Morgan b Hafeez 14(16) [4s-1]

Hafeez to Eoin Morgan, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

12.1 Hafeez to Eoin Morgan, no run, Eoin Morgan went back to pull and nearly was sent packing, bottom edged the pull into his pad. Bopara wanted the quick single, but there was no chance

11.5 Shahid Afridi to Eoin Morgan, FOUR, too much room from Shahid Afridi, short and wide outside off, Eoin Morgan cuts in the air and over point, the ball spins away at pace and beats sweeper quite easily

11.4 Shahid Afridi to Eoin Morgan, 2 runs, an offie and Eoin Morgan drives in the air, just wide of Misbah at cover. He leapt to his right, but it was not within his grasping range

11.3 Shahid Afridi to Bopara, 1 run, Bopara drives well and gets it down to long on

11.2 Shahid Afridi to Eoin Morgan, leg byes, 1 run, Shahid Afridi is lucky that he didn't go for more off that delivery. That was well outside leg, Eoin Morgan flicked and missed, off the pad to short fine

10.6 Hafeez to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, Eoin Morgan steps out and flicks it to backward square leg, only four off that over and that puts England under some more pressure

10.5 Hafeez to Bopara, 1 run, whipped from middle and leg to deep square where Gul charges and prevents the second

10.4 Hafeez to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, flatter and quicker on middle and leg, Eoin Morgan backs away and cuts wide of point

10.3 Hafeez to Bopara, 1 run, shuffles across to off, glances it to short fine

10.2 Hafeez to Bopara, no run, driven to cover, another dot

10.1 Hafeez to Bopara, no run, the sweep isn't working for Bopara, he gets hit on the body

9.6 Shahid Afridi to Bopara, 1 run, driven past Shahid Afridi who was going the other way

9.5 Shahid Afridi to Bopara, 2 runs, Bopara reaches out to a low full toss and tries to drive, the bat turns in his hand and the squirted drive bobbles to long on. They spot that Shafiq is very deep and take an easy couple

9.4 Shahid Afridi to Bopara, no run, punched off the frontfoot to cover

9.3 Shahid Afridi to Bopara, 2 runs, Bopara tries to go inside out over cover, but manages to get it to the left of Umar Gul at long off. A couple taken

9.1 Shahid Afridi to Eoin Morgan, no run, Dropped by Umar. This is getting worse from a Pakistani viewpoint. Eoin Morgan feathering a ball that is angled across him, straight in and straight out

8.6 Hafeez to Bopara, no run, driven back to Hafeez who tries to run Eoin Morgan out, but Morgan is back in

8.5 Hafeez to Bopara, no run, driven straight to back to Hafeez

8.4 Hafeez to Bopara, 2 runs, more frustration for Hafeez and this time it is Malik at long on who didn't put in a more spirited effort. It was slogged way up and the ball was in the air for an eternity, Malik went after it, but didn't dive nor did he charge at great speed. In the end, the ball falls right in front of him. Hafeez scowls in anger

8.2 Hafeez to Bopara, 1 run, Bopara again doesn't connect with the sweep and it takes a bit of glove and rolls to point

8.1 Hafeez to Bopara, no run, tries to sweep a flighted delivery outside off and doesn't connect

8.1 Hafeez to Eoin Morgan, 2 wides, down leg, Umar fumbled and Hafeez was shouting for the ball, Eoin Morgan had slipped and the the throw should've been to the bowlers end, instead Ajmal hits direct at the strikers end and sees Bopara just making it

Is Bopara out? Looks like he might be in. He didn't think he had made it and wore a disconsolate look on his face. But the replays might cheer him up. He is not-out

7.6 Shahid Afridi to Bopara, no run, Bopara played a couple of shots off that delivery and didn't do justice to either. Wanted to paddle sweep initially, then tried to glide it towards third man, the extra bounce beat him and it bobbled off the glove near the keeper

7.5 Shahid Afridi to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, shuffles across to off, nurdled across the line to deep square

7.3 Shahid Afridi to Eoin Morgan, no run, Eoin Morgan rocks back to cut, but can't get it past point

7.2 Shahid Afridi to Eoin Morgan, no run, comes on the frontfoot and drives to cover, straight to the fielder

7.1 Shahid Afridi to Bopara, 1 run, gets forward and drives it to long on

Eoin Morgan, left handed bat, comes to the crease

6.6 Hafeez to Kieswetter, out Bowled!! That is a strange dismissal. We have seen some strange ones from Kieswetter. Flashback to the World T20 final against Mitch, he gave a lot of room and practicallly allowed the ball to hit the stumps, without playing a shot. Fast-forward to this game: The same thing happens, with one change - he played a shot this time. Went outside leg to cut, eventually couldn't reach out and cut it. The ball hit the top of middle. Hafeez is elated. Kieswetter b Hafeez 14(18) [4s-2]

Hafeez to Kieswetter, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

6.5 Hafeez to Bopara, 1 run, Bopara rocks back to pull and nearly pays the price, bottom edged between his legs and down to backward square leg

6.4 Hafeez to Bopara, no run, Bopara steps out and then defends it back to Hafeez

6.3 Hafeez to Kieswetter, 1 run, Misbah didn't have the pace nor the power in his arm to throw down the stumps at the bowlers end. Needed a fast throw and Kieswetter could've been gone. It was a risky single too

6.2 Hafeez to Kieswetter, no run, skidding on towards middle, flicked straight to the fielder at mid wicket

6.1 Hafeez to Kieswetter, no run, full on off stump from round the wicket, driven back to Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

5.6 Shahid Afridi to Bopara, no run, Bopara defends the first ball from the crease

5.5 Shahid Afridi to Kieswetter, 1 run, the googly and Kieswetter softly dabs it to backward point, there is a chance at the strikers end, but Bopara has made it. It needed a direct hit to make things interesting. The third ump has an easy decision

Ravi Bopara, right handed bat, comes to the crease

5.4 Shahid Afridi to Pietersen, out Caught by Shafiq at deep mid wicket!! Fab catch from Shafiq. The big man is gone. The third ump wants to confirm whether it was a clean catch and it is. Shafiq holding his nerve and not touching the ropes with his foot. It was pulled high to him and didn't have the elevation to clear. Well held with both hands. Pakistan badly needed that. Pietersen c Shafiq b Shahid Afridi 33(21) [4s-4 6s-1]

Shahid Afridi to Pietersen, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

5.3 Shahid Afridi to Pietersen, SIX, when Pietersen is playing like this, there are few who can match in the world. Picks the offie and swings through the line, timed brilliantly and the white ball soars over the ropes at long off. He is hitting them magnificently

5.2 Shahid Afridi to Kieswetter, 1 run, Kieswetter meanwhile is not able to time the ball at all, another wild hoick, a bottom edge into the vacant mid wicket area

5.1 Shahid Afridi to Pietersen, 1 run, Pietersen comes down the track and nearly converts it into an yorker, manages to drive it to mid off and takes a quick single

Shahid Afridi, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack

A long chat between Afridi, Misbah and a couple of others as Boom Boom comes on to bowl. A sudden spurt in enthu from the crowd as his name is announced. He has to produce some magic for Pakistan to have any chance

4.6 Ajmal to Kieswetter, no run, that has been smashed back at Ajmal who somehow manages to stop it with his boot

4.5 Ajmal to Pietersen, 1 run, good stop by Gul sliding to his left at backward square leg after Pietersen glanced it off his pads

4.5 Ajmal to Pietersen, wide, Pietersen is angry and he bangs his bat in frustration for missing out on the paddle sweep to a wide down leg

4.4 Ajmal to Pietersen, no run, chips down the wicket, Ajmal shortens his length, Pietersen turns it to short mid

4.3 Ajmal to Pietersen, FOUR, Pietersen lines up Ajmal for the sweep and gets it wide of Afridi at square leg and beat Azam running across from deep mid as well. Hit very powerfully and all along the ground too

4.2 Ajmal to Kieswetter, leg byes, 1 run, down leg, Kieswetter misses the flick and they take a leg-bye

This should be interesting - Ajmal v Kieswetter. Kieswetter will be itching to have a go at him, lovely battle on the cards

4.1 Ajmal to Pietersen, 1 run, Ajmal comes on from round the wicket and Pietersen calmly nudges it to short mid, to get a single

Saeed Ajmal, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

3.6 Umar Gul to Kieswetter, FOUR, another last ball boundary. Another full toss on the stumps, the yorker going wrong and Kieswetter belts it over Ajmal at mid on. England doing it without any hassles at the moment

3.5 Umar Gul to Kieswetter, no run, gets the inswinging yorker going, bowled with a lot of pace and following Kieswetter, who jams it out to short fine

3.4 Umar Gul to Pietersen, 1 run, well stopped by Ajmal diving to his left at mid on. Pietersen backing away and cracking a full toss, which seemed to be heading for the boundary, but Ajmal had other ideas

3.2 Umar Gul to Pietersen, 1 run, punched hard and a good stop by Azam at cover point. The ball was travelling and he did well to bend down and half-stopped it, certainly stung his hand. Pietersen is hitting them really well

3.1 Umar Gul to Pietersen, FOUR, now Pietersen gets into the act. Shuffles across off and whips it to the left of short fine, who is inside the circle. Once it beat him, it was always a boundary

2.6 Junaid Khan to Kieswetter, FOUR, Junaid Khan undoes all the hard work by bowling a full toss on the pads, glanced away to the fine leg fence, beating the man quite easily. Poor ball and rightly dealt with by Kieswetter

2.5 Junaid Khan to Kieswetter, no run, wild slog to a slower delivery that seams across him, Kieswetter swinging too early and missing. Junaid Khan stares at him for good measure

2.4 Junaid Khan to Kieswetter, 2 runs, must say it was a very tough chance. But a chance it is. Kieswetter charging out and getting it over the head of Misbah at cover, who leaps and gets both hands to it, but it bursts through and an early let-off for Kieswetter. Misbah did well, but not well enough to hold on. Needed to do a Guptill there

2.3 Junaid Khan to Kieswetter, no run, comprehensively beaten. Pitches on a good length around middle and goes across Kieswetter, who pokes half-heartedly and is nowhere near the line of the ball, the ball flies through to Umar who snaffles it well. Real pacy delivery that from Junaid

2.2 Junaid Khan to Kieswetter, no run, badly mistimed from Kieswetter, he came down the track looking for the big hit and ended up miscuing it, luckily for him it fell well short of mid on. Junaid Khan has a wry smile at Kieswetter after that

2.1 Junaid Khan to Pietersen, 1 run, Pietersen is lining up Junaid Khan for the big hit, but this one is full and straight on the pads, Pietersen on-drives wide of mid on and takes an easy single

1.6 Umar Gul to Kieswetter, no run, excellent opening over from Umar Gul, tucks up Kieswetter with an inswinger, Kies gets an inside edge onto the pads as he looked to push it towards cover

1.5 Umar Gul to Pietersen, leg byes, 1 run, shuffles across towards off, the indipper strikes him high on the pads and rolls away behind square. A leg-bye taken

1.4 Umar Gul to Pietersen, no run, that's 4 dots in a row. No room to work with for Pietersen, he defends it back to Umar Gul

1.3 Umar Gul to Pietersen, no run, Umar Gul is right on the money, Pietersen is dancing all over the crease, went outside leg, then came back in line, but this tight back of a length delivery on the stumps cramped him for room and his attempted pull, found the inner half of the bat and rolled without any timing to mid wicket.

1.2 Umar Gul to Pietersen, no run, back of a length outside off, punched straight to the fielder at cover

1.1 Umar Gul to Pietersen, no run, very ambitious appeal from Umar Gul. Pietersen stepping out and making sure he gets well outside off, he is struck on the pads, after he missed the clip to leg. No way that was out

Umar Gul, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

13 off that over and that's just what England needed. A poor opening over from Junaid Khan it must be said. He looked very rusty.

0.6 Junaid Khan to Kieswetter, no run, tight back of a length delivery on off stump, Kieswetter defends solidly from the crease

Back over the wicket to Kieswetter is Junaid Khan

0.5 Junaid Khan to Pietersen, 1 run, in the air, but well wide of mid wicket as Pietersen flicks in the air. Is off strike and that is good news for Pakistan

No close in catchers now as Junaid Khan goes round the wicket. He is struggling for any sort of rhythm.

0.4 Junaid Khan to Pietersen, 2 runs, that has been whipped away, past a diving mid wicket, only a couple this time

0.3 Junaid Khan to Pietersen, FOUR, can't bowl short to KP and a disappointed Junaid Khan knows that. Very short on the stumps and Pietersen pulls over mid wicket, beats the man in the deep easily

0.2 Junaid Khan to Pietersen, FOUR, Imperious! Shows the kind of nick that Pietersen is in. It was a back of a length delivery on off stump, Pietersen flat batted it ferociously past mid off, who had no chance. He has a big smile on his face after that

0.1 Junaid Khan to Pietersen, 2 runs, real gentle loosener from Junaid Khan, very short and asking to be hit, Pietersen pulls in slow motion and the ball loops to deep mid wicket for an easy couple. Everything was slow during that ball

Pietersen and Kieswetter are at the crease. Pietersen is on strike. Junaid Khan will open the attack

Welcome back. It is a very short break - not enough even to finish off my dinner. Never mind, this should be fun. Misbah has a few words to say to his mates as they break out of their huddle. Kieswetter is back to his favorite opening position and he has the 'Showoff' - KP for company. Junaid has the ball. Here we go. This is Srivathsa to take you though till the conclusion of the game

The Dubai crowd had come in expecting some fireworks and they got some at the start. Zia lived upto his reputation as a big-hitter and he showed the world a glimpse of his talent. Swann and Broad combined in tandem and they dominated the middle stages of this match. Swann was brilliant as he snapped up his best haul in T20Is. The 71 run partnership between Misbah and Malik has helped Pakistan reach a decent total. Will England be able to chase this target down without any hassles? Join us at 11:10 PM IST or 9:40 PM local for the England run-chase.

19.6 Dernbach to Shoaib Malik, out Caught by Bairstow!! England end the innings in style and Bairstow takes a good catch. Another slower delivery that Dernbach pitches on a good length outside off, Malik dances down the track and looks to launch it over long off, he miscues it and the ball sails to wide long off, Bairstow runs to his left from long off and takes a good catch, England will be happy with their effort here. Shoaib Malik c Bairstow b Dernbach 39(33) [4s-4 6s-1]

Dernbach to Shoaib Malik, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

19.5 Dernbach to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, awesome ball but Malik gets a bottom edge, the in-swinging yorker just outside off, Malik gets a bottom edge that goes past Kieswetter and to the boundary

19.4 Dernbach to Shoaib Malik, no run, another back of the hand gem from Dernbach, this is on a yorker length just outside off, Malik tries to squeeze it out but he cannot do so, what control from Dernbach

19.3 Dernbach to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, the off-cutter outside off, Misbah moves to the off side and forces it to cover

19.2 Dernbach to Misbah-ul-Haq, FOUR, Swann's woes in the field continues, he has dropped two catches and he has let this one go, short delivery outside off, Misbah frees his arms and cracks the cut to short third man, Swann does not get behind the delivery and allows it to go to the third man fence

19.1 Dernbach to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, this is wonderful stuff from Dernbach, he pitches this leg-spinner on a good length and it spits away, bounces a touch more as Misbah goes back and looks to heave it to mid wicket, he swings and misses it

18.6 Finn to Shoaib Malik, 2 runs, full ball slanted in on the middle and leg stump, Malik hangs back and thwacks it to mid wicket, they steal a couple

18.5 Finn to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, he has pierced the gap superbly here, short of length ball that zips back in on the middle and leg stump, Malik gives some room and late cuts it past the gap at backward point and short third, rolls to the deep backward point fence

18.4 Finn to Shoaib Malik, no run, Malik was moving around a bit too much in the crease, Finn bowls a fast and short delivery outside off, Malik looks to guide it to third man but he fails to get bat on it

18.3 Finn to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, short and pacy delivery outside off, Misbah walks to the off side and initially shapes up to kind of pull it, but he realizes that the ball is a bit too high and he bunts it safely to deepish point, it landed safely

18.2 Finn to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, back of a length delivery just outside off, Malik stays right back and slogs it to long on

18.1 Finn to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, maybe this is the big over Pakistan wanted, short of length ball and slightly wide outside off, Malik hans back and plays it late, back-cuts it to square third man, the fielder dives to his right but he cannot stop it from reaching the ropes

Steven Finn [3.0-0-27-1] is back into the attack

17.6 Dernbach to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, another juicy full toss, Malik thumps it to point where Samit does not release the ball, the fifty partnership is up between these two, crucial stand this and Pakistan will be eyeing somewhere between 140-150

17.5 Dernbach to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, a high full toss outside off, Misbah flays it to deep point, he has a glance at the square leg umpire but he does not signal a no-ball, replays suggest that it was a close call

17.4 Dernbach to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, another different delivery from Dernbach, this one is again slower and it is on middle, Malik nudges it to square leg

17.3 Dernbach to Shoaib Malik, no run, this one is the back of the hand slower delivery, Dernbach would have made the cut as an excellent leg spinner though, he lands this on a good length and it breaks away, Malik looks to thump it but fails to make contact

17.2 Dernbach to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, Dernbach bowls a slower delivery, this one is the off-cutter and he lands it full on the middle and leg stump, Misbah makes room and looks to force it through cover, gets an inside edge that rolls to short fine leg

17.1 Dernbach to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, Dernbach starts off with a very full ball that curls back in outside off, Malik squeezes it out to backward point

Jade Dernbach [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack

16.6 Broad to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, back of a length delivery angled in outside off, gets it to straighten as Misbah hangs his bat out to guide it to third man, the ball races past the edge

16.5 Broad to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, full pitched ball and again it curves back in just outside off, Malik jams it out to mid off where the fielder dives over to his right and allows it to go to long off

16.4 Broad to Shoaib Malik, leg byes, 2 runs, full ball and it tails back in, Malik looks to flick it to square leg, the ball runs off the pad to backward square leg for a couple, definitely some reverse swing for Broad

16.3 Broad to Shoaib Malik, 2 runs, edged but superb fielding from Dernbach, full ball around the off stump, Malik again pushes at it and the thick outside edge rolls to third man, Dernbach runs and slides to his left to stop the ball, keeps it down to a couple, super work from Dernbach

16.2 Broad to Shoaib Malik, no run, full ball and this one veers away outside off, Malik bends the back leg and looks to smoke it through cover, he swings and misses

16.1 Broad to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, this is a vital passage of play for Pakistan, short ball and angling in on leg stump, Malik tucks it off his hips and the ball scoots away to the fine leg fence

Stuart Broad [3.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack

Time for skipper versus skipper.

15.6 Samit Patel to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, Malik again shimmies down the track but Samit drags the length short and bowls it quicker, Malik punches it to long off

15.5 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, flatter delivery on the middle and leg stump, Misbah whacks it to long on

15.4 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, SIX, huge height on that but not much of distance, but it is just enough though, tossed up delivery on middle, Misbah makes room and gets underneath the delivery, launches him high straight down the ground, Swann at long off leaps and gets his right hand to it, but he fails to latch onto it and the ball goes over the ropes

15.3 Samit Patel to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, Malik charged down the track early, Samit fires a quicker ball on the off stump, Malik adjusts and dabs it to cover point, for a moment it looked like Kieswetter might have been in the game

15.2 Samit Patel to Shoaib Malik, no run, loopy delivery and given a bit more air, Malik pushes it back to the bowler

15.1 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, Misbah was already making room before Samit had delivered the ball, he fires it full and close to the leg stump, Misbah cuts it without any power to sweeper cover

14.6 Finn to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, good length ball angling in on the off stump, Misbah again shuffles to the off side and glances it to fine leg

14.5 Finn to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, good length ball outside off, Malik chops it down to Dernbach at third man

14.4 Finn to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, short of a good length ball just outside off, Misbah walks to the off side and nudges it to backward square leg, they think about a second but it is not there for the taking

14.3 Finn to Misbah-ul-Haq, leg byes, FOUR, Finn loses his direction here, back of a length delivery and it jags back into the pads of Misbah, he looks to glance it to fine leg and the ball thuds into the thigh guard and rolls to the boundary

14.1 Finn to Misbah-ul-Haq, leg byes, 1 run, shortish ball and it kicks up on Misbah, he looks to work it to the leg side and the ball thuds into the body and rolls to the off side, they run quickly to pinch a leg bye

Steven Finn [2.0-0-23-1] is back into the attack

13.6 Samit Patel to Shoaib Malik, SIX, that is monstrous from Malik, flighted delivery on the stumps, Malik dances down the track and gets to the pitch, hammers it way back into the stands at long on, that is the Malik of old and Pakistan will hope that he carries on

13.5 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, quicker and shorter on the middle and leg stump, Misbah pulls it to deep mid wicket

Swann's previous best figures was 3/14 and that was also against Pakistan in Dubai in 2010. He loves this venue indeed.

13.4 Samit Patel to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, flatter ball that is pitched on a good length just outside off, Malik goes on the backfoot and eases it to long on

13.3 Samit Patel to Shoaib Malik, no run, Malik charges down the track but Samit fires it quick outside off, Malik pushes it to extra cover

13.2 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, Samit gives this a bit more air on middle and off, Misbah backs away and drives it to long off

13.1 Samit Patel to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, tossed up delivery just outside off, Malik drives it to long off

12.6 Swann to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, loopy delivery that spits back in, stops a bit on Malik who chips it past mid wicket, ends an outstanding spell from Swann. 4-1-13-3. Top bowling from a wonderful spinner, these are his best figures in T20Is

12.5 Swann to Shoaib Malik, no run, quicker ball pushed through outside off, Malik goes back and blocks it

12.4 Swann to Shoaib Malik, no run, flatter delivery and spinning back into the pads, Malik glances it to short fine leg but straight to the fielder

12.3 Swann to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, this delivery breaks back in slowly, Misbah stays back and covers the line and nurdle it to backward square leg

12.2 Swann to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, flighted delivery and full just outside off, Malik skips down the track but gets too close to the pitch, ends up drilling it to long on

12.1 Swann to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, tossed up delivery just outside off, Misbah bends down and rolls his wrists over the ball to sweep it to deep backward square leg

The run-rate has dipped from 8 to 6.3. Things are not looking good for Pakistan. Swann will bowl out here.

11.6 Samit Patel to Shoaib Malik, no run, full and flat delivery just outside off, punched back to the bowler

11.5 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, Misbah will continue making room, but it has to be more effective in purpose, Samit follows him with a quicker delivery and Misbah works it to mid wicket

11.4 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, full and loopy delivery just outside off, Misbah again plunges forward and looks to sweep, the ball hits the pad this time as Swann appeals for an LBW, Misbah thinks about a single but Kieswetter gets to the ball quickly

11.3 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, flatter ball on the middle and leg stump, Misbah again backs away and defends it

11.2 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, as Misbah does in the shorter formats, he makes room and Samit bowls it full and flat on the middle and leg stump, he taps it to mid on

A slip in place for Samit.

11.1 Samit Patel to Misbah-ul-Haq, 2 runs, tossed up delivery just outside off, Misbah bends forward and sweeps it to fine leg for a couple

Samit Patel, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

Malik and Misbah have to rebuild here. The problem is, in T20s, there is too little time to rebuild and there is the need to attack immediately.

10.6 Swann to Shoaib Malik, no run, flatter delivery just outside off, Malik defends it back to the bowler, Double WicketMaiden for Swann

10.5 Swann to Shoaib Malik, no run, loopy delivery just outside off, Malik taps it softly to the off side

Shoaib Malik, right handed bat, comes to the crease

10.4 Swann to Umar Akmal, out Caught by Dernbach!! Brain explosion this time from Umar. If Afridi's was bad, this is even worse. Flighted delivery from Swann outside off, Umar charges down the track and does not get to the pitch of the ball, he goes through with the shot and mistimes it completely to long off, Dernbach runs in and dives forward to take a low catch just inches away from the ground with both hands, superb catch from Dernbach and Pakistan are reeling here. Umar Akmal c Dernbach b Swann 0(3)

Swann to Umar Akmal, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

10.3 Swann to Umar Akmal, no run, cracking delivery from Swann, the slider and it skids on straight, Umar plays inside the line of the delivery and gets beaten

65/1 to 73/4. Collapse time I suppose from Pakistan. The middle order is not that strong.

10.1 Swann to Shahid Afridi, out Caught by Eoin Morgan!! Swann has won the battle here. Afridi just cannot control his aggressive instincts. Afridi charges down the track and Swann fires it full and flatter on the pads, Afridi whips it without any timing to shortish mid wicket where Morgan holds onto a simple catch. Shahid Afridi c Eoin Morgan b Swann 7(7) [4s-1]

Swann to Shahid Afridi, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

9.6 Broad to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, Broad keeps it full and it curls away a bit, Misbah drives it to short extra cover where Bopara dives to his right to stop it

9.5 Broad to Shahid Afridi, 1 run, full ball outside off, Afridi pushes this with an angled bat to backward point, the fielder dives over to his left and it rolls to the deep

When Misbah made his second comeback in 2007, it was thanks to T20I that he re-invented himself. Now, as time has progressed, he has acquired the reputation of being a blocker and a solid player. Will we see the Misbah of 2007 on show this year?

9.4 Broad to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, good length ball just outside off, Misbah moves to the off side and dabs it to short third man

9.3 Broad to Shahid Afridi, 1 run, edged again but safer this time, pitched up delivery outside off, Afridi looks to thump it through cover again but gets another outside edge to third man

9.2 Broad to Shahid Afridi, FOUR, edged and safe, fuller length ball and it snakes away a bit outside off, Afridi looks to drive it through cover, gets an outside edge that flies past Kieswetter, goes to the third man fence

9.1 Broad to Shahid Afridi, no run, back of a length delivery outside off, Afridi guides it to backward point

Stuart Broad [2.0-0-5-0] is back into the attack

Broad and Swann are really keeping a check on the scoring here. Afridi has to play a different knock here. The main question is: Can he?

8.6 Swann to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, tossed up delivery just outside off, Misbah plunges forward and nudges it to short mid wicket

8.5 Swann to Shahid Afridi, 1 run, Afridi charges down the track and Swann bowls a flat and low full toss, he thumps it to long on

8.4 Swann to Shahid Afridi, no run, flighted delivery just outside off, drilled back to the bowler

Misbah-ul-Haq, right handed bat, comes to the crease

8.3 Swann to Hafeez, out Caught by Bairstow!! Now Hafeez departs. A real poor shot that. Flighted delivery from Swann just outside off, Hafeez bends down and fetches the sweep, but he does not get the timing right and he holes out to deep mid wicket, Pakistan in trouble now. Hafeez c Bairstow b Swann 23(22) [4s-3]

Swann to Hafeez, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

8.2 Swann to Hafeez, no run, flatter delivery on the off stump, defended back to the bowler

Shahid Afridi, right handed bat, comes to the crease

8.1 Swann to Hafeez, out Shafiq Run Out!! Well, there will be a debate about this. Flatter delivery on the middle and leg stump and it spins in, Hafeez looks to work it to the leg side and the ball hits the pad, rolls to short mid wicket as Shafiq looks to take a quick single, Hafeez sends him back and Kieswetter runs to his left, collects it and fires the throw back to Swann, he collects it in front of the stumps and he breaks the stumps with his right upper-arm, Shafiq is short and the umpire gives it out. Shafiq run out (Kieswetter/Swann) 19(17) [4s-2]

Swann to Hafeez, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Third umpire being called for here. The batsman in question is Shafiq. Hafeez sent him back. Swann collected the ball in front of the stumps and he has no idea of where the stumps are. That has probably saved Shafiq. I think Swann has broken his stumps with the hand first. He has the ball in hand, but he has broken the stumps with the upper part of the hand. NO! Shafiq is OUT.

7.5 Bopara to Shafiq, 1 run, full and slower delivery just outside off, Shafiq whirls his wrists and whips it to long on

The scoop that Hafeez played in the 3rd ball reminds me of the same shot that he attempted in the semi-final game against India at Mohali. At that time, he managed to edge Munaf Patel to Dhoni and Pakistan lost momentum to give victory to India.

7.3 Bopara to Hafeez, FOUR, superb innovation from the Professor, length delivery and bowled at normal pace on the off stump, Hafeez lunges forward and scoops it over short fine leg and it goes to the boundary

7.2 Bopara to Shafiq, 1 run, good length delivery and this time he bowls it slower, Shafiq turns it to square leg

Kieswetter is not standing upto the stumps. It is surprising considering that Bopara will be bowling a lot of slower deliveries.

7.1 Bopara to Shafiq, no run, full ball that swerves back in just outside off, Shafiq gets the bat close to the pad and chops it to backward point

Ravi Bopara, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

6.6 Swann to Shafiq, 1 run, flatter delivery on the middle and leg stump, Shafiq works it to square leg

6.5 Swann to Hafeez, 1 run, slow and short delivery outside off, Hafeez cuts it to deep backward point

6.4 Swann to Shafiq, 3 runs, loopy delivery just outside off, Shafiq employs the reverse sweep, Kieswetter tried to anticipate it but it goes in vain, the ball rolls to third man where Broad again slides to his left and relays the throw, Dernbach who was the other fielder was too close and he does not collect it well, they sneak three runs and Swann is not amused

6.3 Swann to Hafeez, 1 run, nicely tossed up delivery on the off stump, Hafeez pushes it to long on

6.2 Swann to Hafeez, 2 runs, flatter delivery just outside off, Hafeez uses the pace and opens the bat face to guide it to third man, they pinch a brace as Broad slides and stops it

6.1 Swann to Hafeez, no run, super start for Swann, he flights this delivery and it drifts away, the ball skids through after pitching, Hafeez plunges forward and looks to drive it through cover, the ball whizzes past the edge and Kieswetter whips the bails off, but Hafeez's back foot was behind the line

Graeme Swann, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

5.6 Broad to Shafiq, 2 runs, good length ball but angling into the pads, Shafiq flicks it to fine leg for a couple, a real poor throw comes from the deep

5.5 Broad to Shafiq, no run, Shafiq makes room and shimmies down the track, Broad follows him with a short delivery and cramps him for room, Shafiq taps it back to Broad

5.4 Broad to Shafiq, no run, Broad continues to hang the length back and it is close to the off stump, Shafiq defends it back to the bowler

5.3 Broad to Hafeez, 1 run, back of a length delivery just outside off, Hafeez punches it to cover point and hares across for a quick single, the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end and Hafeez puts in the dive to make it safely

5.2 Broad to Hafeez, no run, full and straight ball just outside off, Hafeez looks to thrash it down the ground, but he gets an inside edge onto the pad and rolls back to the bowler

England have won the last 11 out of the 14 T20Is that they have played. They last lost a T20I match against the West Indies in September 2011.

5.1 Broad to Hafeez, no run, good length ball angled in on the middle and leg stump, Hafeez pats it to short mid wicket

4.6 Dernbach to Hafeez, 1 run, another leg break from Dernbach, lands it on the middle and leg stump, Hafeez nudges it to backward square leg

4.5 Dernbach to Shafiq, 1 run, again Shafiq employs the deft touch, angles the bat to a shortish ball and steers it to third man

4.3 Dernbach to Shafiq, 1 run, catch dropped by Swann, unbelievable, after all the hard work, Swann spills it, the back of the hand slower delivery from Dernbach, lands it full just outside off, Shafiq lofts it high but does not generate the power, the ball sails to long off where Swann runs behind and the ball goes over his shoulder, he turns and spills the chance, Swann moved his head at the last moment and that resulted in that dropped chance

4.2 Dernbach to Shafiq, no run, Dernbach hurls this short and close to the off stump, Shafiq plays it late and chops it to backward point

4.1 Dernbach to Shafiq, FOUR, good control shown by Shafiq, Dernbach drags it short outside off, Shafiq arches back and plays it slightly late, glides it uppishly to third man for a boundary

Jade Dernbach [1.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack

3.6 Broad to Hafeez, no run, ends a good over from Broad, back of a length delivery around the off stump channel, Hafeez moves to the off side and taps it to short cover, he thinks about a quick single but Shafiq sends him back

3.5 Broad to Shafiq, 1 run, pitched up delivery on the off stump, Shafiq taps it to mid on

3.4 Broad to Shafiq, no run, shortish delivery slanted in on middle and off, Shafiq dabs it to point but he cannot take the quick single

3.3 Broad to Shafiq, no run, back of a length delivery outside off, Shafiq cracks the square cut hard to point but he finds the fielder

3.2 Broad to Shafiq, no run, Broad keeps it slightly short just outside off, Shafiq looks to run it down to third man but ends up chopping it to the keeper

3.1 Broad to Hafeez, 1 run, short of length delivery close to the off stump, Hafeez stays back and guides it to third man

Stuart Broad, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

2.6 Finn to Shafiq, FOUR, Shafiq gets off the mark in style, Finn slides this full delivery on the pads, Shafiq clips it elegantly to the deep mid wicket fence

Asad Shafiq, right handed bat, comes to the crease

2.5 Finn to Zia, out Caught by Broad!! Finn gets his man and the entertainment ends. Good length slower delivery on the off stump, Zia is a bit too early into the shot, he checks it at the last moment but he chips it uppishly to mid off, Broad runs in and takes the catch, Finn pumps his fists and gives an earful to Zia who walks off. Zia c Broad b Finn 18(12) [4s-1 6s-1]

Finn to Zia, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

2.4 Finn to Zia, leg byes, FOUR, more runs and this will not please England, Finn slides this one on the pads, Zia looks to slog it to the leg side, the ball thuds into the pads and goes past the keeper to the fine leg fence, leg byes it is

2.3 Finn to Zia, 2 runs, in the air but just over KP at mid wicket, Finn keeps this delivery on a back of a length just outside off, Zia looks to thwack it over mid wicket, the bat face turns in his hand and he mistimes it, but it just manages to go over Pietersen's head and they pinch a couple

2.3 Finn to Zia, wide, good length ball but down the leg side, Zia misses out on the leg glance and Finn concedes a wide

2.2 Finn to Zia, 2 runs, Zia is living upto his nickname of Mini Boom Boom here, length ball just outside off, Zia again swings through the line and clobbers it high over widish long on, but the timing is not spot on and the ball stops just in front of the ropes, they pinch a couple

2.1 Finn to Zia, SIX, monstrous shot from Zia, short ball on the middle and leg stump, rears up a bit on Zia, he still goes through with the shot and pulls it back into the stands at fine leg, Finn is not amused

1.6 Dernbach to Hafeez, FOUR, this is even better stuff from Hafeez, length delivery and wide outside off, Hafeez gets underneath the delivery and belts it over extra cover and the ball scoots away to the fence

1.5 Dernbach to Hafeez, FOUR, now Hafeez joins in the fun, fuller length ball on the off stump, Hafeez stays forward and uses his wrists nicely to whip it to the deep mid wicket fence

1.4 Dernbach to Hafeez, no run, back of a length delivery close to the off stump, Hafeez pushes it back to the bowler

1.3 Dernbach to Zia, 1 run, short ball but on the middle and leg stump, Zia swivels on the back foot and this time connects with the pull, rolls to backward square leg where Bairstow runs quickly to his right and keeps it down to a single

1.2 Dernbach to Zia, no run, that is the classic Dernbach slower delivery, bowls it from the back of the hand and lands it full outside off, Zia is beaten by the change of pace as he looks to flay it through cover, he swings and misses

1.1 Dernbach to Zia, no run, Zia is going to slog at everything here, shortish ball that skids through on the off stump, Zia swivels and looks to pull it over square leg, he swings and misses, the ball thuds into the thigh guard and goes on the bounce to slip

Jade Dernbach, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

0.6 Finn to Hafeez, no run, back of a length angled in on the middle and leg stump and it nips back in, Hafeez is caught on the crease and he gets hit on the pad

0.5 Finn to Zia, 1 run, short of length ball just outside off, Zia looks to thwack it over mid wicket, he swings hard and the ball squirts off the inside edge to deep square leg

0.4 Finn to Zia, no run, good reponse from Finn, full ball angled across and it cuts away, Zia looks to drive at it and the ball goes past the outside edge

0.3 Finn to Zia, FOUR, BOOM! That has been absolutely mauled. Length ball just outside off, Zia swings through the line and hammers it over long on for a boundary

0.2 Finn to Zia, 2 runs, Zia has shown that he is not afraid to take the aerial route straight away, back of a length delivery just outside off, Zia looks to wallop it over extra cover, he miscues it but it lands safely at deep extra cover for a couple

0.1 Finn to Hafeez, 1 run, Finn starts off with a short of length ball that darts back in on the middle and leg stump, Hafeez tucks it to square leg to immediately get off the mark

Hafeez and Zia are at the crease. Hafeez is on strike. Finn will open the attack

Two slips in place as we are all set to start action in the Ring of Fire that is the Dubai International Stadium.

Right, Hafeez and Boom Boom part 2, Awais Zia are coming out to the middle. There is a lot of hype about him. England, the world T20I champions, will be favorites. However, Pakistan will be no pushovers. Sid V here to take you through till the end of the Pakistan innings.

Misbah: I would have batted first. Awais Zia is in the team. Umar Gul replaces Rehman. Hammad Azam replaces Adnan Akmal. Zia has been performing well in the domestic circuit. We are professionals and we have to deal with the fact that we are away from home. Morale is high and we look to play positively.

Broad: KP will open the batting. Bairstow comes in at five and Finn is in the team. We want to maintain the winning momentum. We need to focus on this game carefully.

The question for Pakistan is will we see Awais Zia in action today? He has been billed as a big-hitter in the domestic circuit. Right, the toss is all set to start.

Pitch Report: This is a new pitch. There is a little bit of green grass on this wicket. It is not so hard. Nick Knight reckons that the bowlers will have to use their variations. The ball will spin as the game progresses. The batsmen will enjoy batting on this track. In short, it will be a slog-fest.

England have a new captain in Stuart Broad. For Pakistan, it is a chance to gain some confidence after being thoroughly hammered in the ODIs. In seven T20Is played between these two nations, England have won five times while Pakistan have won two times.

Pakistan whitewashed England in the Tests 3-0. England got their revenge by whitewashing Pakistan 4-0 in the ODIs. What will this T20I series throw up? The toss is all set to take place in 20 minutes time.

Welcome to the first of the three T20Is between Pakistan and England from Dubai. It is a crucial series for both teams as both look to gain momentum ahead of the 2012 T20 WC to be played in Sri Lanka.

Preview by Anoop Naval

The England tour of Pakistan 2012 in the UAE has so far been very unpredictable with both teams not being able to assert complete dominance over the other. While Pakistan were on top of England in the Test series, whitewashing them 3-0, England answered back with an ODI series whitewash. It is now down to the T20 clash and the curiosity is no doubt at its peak to see who will turn out the better team among equals. England will be hoping for another emphatic finish whereas an embattled Pakistan team look to draw inspiration from somewhere to pull of a win and give them some much needed impetus heading into the World T20 in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan: Pakistan basically need to work on their batting and fielding, which had been a problem for them even in the Test matches, but the bowling was strong enough to mask these weaknesses. Their fatigue and dullness on the field though was even more noticeable after their back to back losses in the ODI series. For a side that vanquished England in format that they reign in, it was quite strange to watch them get trounced in the 50-over version.

One could say that Pakistan have the stronger bowling unit, with wilier spinners, but the batters have consistently failed to convert starts into good scores. Only four half-centuries were managed by the Pakistani batsmen throughout the ODI series, two of them coming in the final match. What should also be mentioned is the fact that it was a collective failure on part of the batsmen, with both the top order and the middle letting the team down. The highest averaging batsman was Azhar Ali with 31.33 while the likes of Mohammad Hafeez (15.25), Asad Shafiq (27.66), Misbah-ul-Haq (27), Imran Farhat (22), Umar Akmal (26.25) and Shahid Afridi (26.50) averaged even lesser. If Pakistan are to pose England a challenge in the T20 series, it is imperative that the batsmen give their bowlers something to bowl at.

Pakistan's bowling too did not pose much of a threat to England unlike the Test series. The English batsmen seemed to have sorted out Saeed Ajmal and the off-spinner, despite emerging as Pakistan's highest wicket-taker in the ODI series, did not seem to be at his best. What is even more concerning for the Misbah-led side is that Shahid Afridi too had a poor run with the ball and so did Umar Gul. Abdur Rehman and Hafeez were economical when compared to the rest but their wickets column displayed a barren look. The bowlers need to bowl with better discipline and stick to the right line and lengths if they are to keep the England batsmen at bay in the T20I series.

The skipper too has been under fire because of the whitewash, with senior players reckoning that Pakistan needs a replacement for Misbah in the limited-overs format. Irrespective of the current scenario though, Misbah understands, probably better than others, the importance of the T20I series. He even agrees that this series could be the decider between the countries. "This is very important series for us," Misbah said. "We won the Tests, they won the ODIs and now this T20 series is almost the decider. And, if you consider that this is T20 WC year, it is very important for our confidence as a team to perform well and win this series. We need to regain our confidence."

England: England will naturally go into the T20s in a buoyant mood, and should look to capitalize upon the ODI series success and extend the good run during the T20 series. Alastair Cook led from the front during the ODIs and ensured the England's batting did not succumb to the spin-heavy attack that Pakistan employed. Kevin Pietersen's approach against spin in the fifty-over games also proved to be the best way to negate any threat from the Pakistani spinners. Clueless in the Test series, Pietersen's footwork in the one-day series vastly improved, and his eagerness to get down the pitch worked wonders for England even when, in his own words, he still couldn't pick Ajmal. ODI Skipper Alastair Cook was at his best with his two centuries in the first two ODIs and a 80 in the third. Though he missed out on scoring in the final ODI, his efforts in the series had ensured that England exacted the revenge for the Test drubbing.

Speaking about England's bowling, Steven Finn was the stand-out performer, picking up 13 wickets at an average of 10.3 and also remained economical. The rest of the bowlers like James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jade Dernbach and Samit Patel also chipped in with wickets and did not give away too many runs. The English bowlers, on the whole, were disciplined and did not let Pakistan run away with the game at any stage of the series. The same kind of performance will be expected from the English bowlers in the T20s and the T20 skipper Broad will be looking to lead from the front.

The series will also be key for England as they view the T20 matches as an opportunity to look at their options ahead of their T20 WC defence later this year. With that in mind, the likes of Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales can all expect a chance to showcase their abilities, and will know that their performances are key to their hopes of inclusion for the World Cup.

Final Word: Neither team could claim to be outright favourites, and after a tour that's swung one way and then the other, both know the value of a fresh start in a new format. All of this adds up to make a compelling contest over the next week.